At least eight injured in Imphal blast

At least eight people were injured, two critically, in a blast that took place near Kasturi Bridge in Imphal Bazar at around 5:40 pm on the day of the second phase polling in the state. The incident occurred near a pharmacy shop. Among the injured, five people were admitted to RIMS hospital and the remaining were admitted to other nearby hospitals.

Besides this incident, polling was generally peaceful in the 22 constituencies spread over six districts,—Thoubal, Ukhrul, Chandel, Tamenglong, Kamjomg and Senapati.

Over 86 per cent votes, highest since 2009, were cast in the second and final phase of the Manipur Assembly polls on Wednesday, officials said. The counting of the votes will be held on March 11. Polling in some booths in Tamenglong district started several hours behind schedule as the EVMs developed technical defects.

An electorate of over 7.59 lakh was eligible to choose its nominees from among 98 candidates—four of them women—in 1,151 polling stations.